 There you sit, in your quiet and abandoned bar. It's Saturday night, and the only movement is the smoke that mingles in the air, adrift between two cigarettes. The dance floor is bare, the stage is empty, and last year's NASCAR schedule still adorns the wall. The regulars are bellied up to the bar, a few more guys take turns at the video poker game that now consumes a large spot on the bar where women USED to dance. The bad news is, this place has lost that lovin feelin. The good news is, this place can ROCK again. Send up a signal and we'll show you a good time. They WILL dance, they WILL sing, and most importantly, they WILL get thirsty. |
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By day a mild mannered manufacturing genius. By night . . .
Anyone who knows Bob is never going to believe this. A few weeks ago I joked on stage that Bob was the ONLY lead guitar player I knew that had to be told to turn up. I told him he was a bassoonist trapped in a lead guitarist's body. I guess he took it to heart. This past weekend in Eagle Grove we were joined on stage by several locals, one who ripped off his shirt and wailed to some "Mamma Let Him Play"-- (Something about that song encourages the rock star in everyone). Shortly after, I joked that Bob would be ripping off his shirt and playing his guitar behind his head. I turned to grab a quick swig of my drink and "Pow!" there he was: Shirtless, piggy backing his Gibson and absolutely WAILING on a lead. You can see me spewing my drink in the background. It was either that... or it was coming out my nose. I don't know what got into him and I still can't believe it really happened but here it is... in living color. I've decided to call this masterpiece of a photo: "Bassoonist? My Ass!" Priceless.
Tweet with Me!
I could resist Twitter no more! Tweet along with me? Go to my webpage under about us and start following me today. I'll follow you back... but not in a creepy stalking kinda way... I promise. ;) Amy
Stage Fright Smage Fright...
It was great to be back at Hot Shotz... we missed you guys. You really put on a show! I say you... because apparently it was guest appearance night on stage at Hot Shotz. We had one brief bartender cameo and my favorite bearded waitress Ben dusted off his pipes for some back up vocals on Mamma let 'em play. With GUSTO! He rocked. Also appearing on stage, the very drunk Joe... who claimed it was his birthday (always a good excuse when you've had a few too many;) and found his way on stage for an interesting rendition of Every Rose Has It's Thorn-- thank you Joe... I think. Now if you remember back in the summer Bob and I did an acoustic gig out at Lake Rathbun and the 20 people that were there put most of the parties we've played to shame. The same applied tonight. That would be because 1/2 the Rathbun gang was on hand at Hot Shotz. You guys NEVER disappoint! Thanks to everyone and especially the Rathbun Playtime Crew for coming out. Hope to see you at Friday After Five and Summer Splash later this summer!
PS Bob has a new guitar. It's shiny and he loves it. I've been giving him a hard time about it for two shows now. He cleans it sometimes if he has a one measure break during a song. Seriously, I've seen him do it. He was rocking a Poison/CC Deville lead at Hot Shotz when I gave his guitar a wet willy. I think he almost fainted. :) Sorry Bob. Jordan Creek Elementary Fundraiser
A huge thanks to the people of West Des Moines for inviting us to play their first and VERY successful fundraiser for Jordan Creek Elementary. You really put together a wonderful evening full of great people! ;) Now I say that not only because you gave us a tip which was a first for us I think... but also because you were out there dancing before they even turned the lights down. We love that in a crowd! Thanks for a fabulous night.. we hope you'll have us back next year! We'll get some Van Morrison worked in before then! ;)
Ringing in 2009
If you haven't been to the Honey Creek Resort at Lake Rathbun, it's a must see for 2009!!! What a beautiful facility and what wonderful people. The heroes had a great time entertaining for their New Year's Party this year in the ballroom and our kids had a GREAT time in the pool! Check them out online at www.honeycreekresort.com. And thank you to everyone at the hotel who made us feel so welcome... we hope you had a good time!
Ford's Pub and Grill
Looks like Mark doesn't have the doors ready to open quite yet at Fords in Eddyville. Our grand opening show there for November 1st has been cancelled. Keep watching for a date at Fords though... we're eager to play once he's up and running!
Fall Break
Just in case you're wondering where we've gone... never fear... the heroes are still here! Our summer was crazy, and we're winding down now and taking a little break. Terry will be busy with drumline and marching band most weekends this fall so that eliminates several gig options but we'll be ready this winter when the bar circuit hits again! We hope to use this time to get some new material learned and maybe even work up some originals. Stay tuned...
Daaaaang!Well, Joe Dirt 2008 was a HUGE success complete with carneys and a Southern Iowa stunt man that "wrasseled" a Sasquatch and jumped through a ring of fire on a mini bike. But the outfits were the most entertaining of all. My favorite by far was "Dirty Dan Sanchez"-- the skating man in daisy dukes. Wow, now that man could skate. And skate drunk, I might add. I'm pretty sure his parents owned a skating rink because you just don't get those kind of skills on your annual skating party in 3rd and 4th grade or in your neighbors driveway. Second to Dan had to be our very own Tim DeJong. Perhaps the best part about Tim's outfit is that he looked no further than his own closet to find this denim bell-bottomed gem with matching vest. Yep, the man wore it for his senior pictures back in the late 70's. He is the ONLY man alive that can still get into the very same size 29 inch waist pants he wore three decades ago. I would go into more detail but I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Ann took several so we should have some very soon! Thanks for a great time once again Jeff and Jane! Heroes on a Stick
Just finished up our show a the Iowa State Fair. A good crowd and lots of familiar faces! I think it was most heavily populated by people from Lovilia. Which, if you don't know, is where I am from. What can I say, they know how to find a good time. It's sort of a requirement if you're going to live in any town of 650 people.
 I took Avery to the new baby animal barn. This is now my favorite place at the fair. I confirmed once again that I am in desperate need of a baby goat. Now Avery wants one too. I have a strange attraction to this furry little garbage disposal. They are adorable and naughty and completely unapologetic for any of their actions. I like that. I even wanted my first band to be named after them... "The Fainting Goats" now doesn't that sound like a good band name? I was the only one that thought so. I stuck around the fair awhile longer and watched a little of one of my favorite cover bands, Hairball. I think they are out of Minnesota? They put on a great show and they're playing again tonight. If you get to the fair check them out...it's worth the trip up the hill to the AE stage. Saturday we play the annual Joe Dirt Party at the Kelderman's in Osky. Now these people REALLY put on a show! Last year they had real live "Carney's" set up in their yard and trashed the yard of their beautiful home with bumpers, old tires and rusty engines just to give the place that Redneck "Glow." 80's and/or redneck attire is a requirement for entry. Looking forward to this year if I can just find my Aqua Net... and something to wear... talk to you soon! Amy Karma
So it appers my June bug hate crimes have caught up with me. Because of my hatred for one of Gods less beautiful creatures one of the beautiful, and might I add talented, creatures has died. On my way home from the Indianola Balloon show last night I ran over a dancing raccoon. Now I know a lot of people hate raccoons too, but I have always found them adorable. Maybe it's their cute little masks or the way they can manipulate trash with their dextrous little paws, regardless I would rather find myself in the emergency room than yet another of these little guys left for dead on the side of the road. It was near the Martensdale turn off that the little guy met his fate. All I remember is seeing the shadow and as my lights hit him it was like his own little stage lit up. He was grapvining (literally side stepping one front and back paw over the other) his way across my lane. Less only his top hat and cane he looked up at me with his little jazz paws and that corny show choir look of delight and surprise and then BAM! The show took a tragic twist and ended adruptly. I screamed in horror at what I had just done. Yes, the world is less one very talented creature today. And tonight.... I think I'll be a little kinder to the June bugs.
Prior to the carnage the show at the balloon fields was great. It's always nice to see families out and no one can party quite like the 8 year old. ;) Hope to see some more of you tonight! 
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